Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-36) led 12 members of the House Judiciary Committee in demanding answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel regarding politically motived firings at the FBI. The lawmakers are seeking assurances that federal agencies are safeguarding the nonpartisan integrity of ongoing investigations, especially those involving espionage and influence from Russia and the January 6^th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. The question of whether investigations of clandestine Russian activities in the United States have been compromised has assumed new relevance following President Trump’s recent actions and rhetoric regarding the war in Ukraine.

The lawmakers wrote, “The FBI’s strength lies in its commitment to impartiality and independence from political influence. The removal of career officials based upon anything other than performance or misconduct sets a dangerous precedent. Reports indicate that the FBI was ordered to dismiss eight senior officials and compile a list of potentially thousands of other employees involved in investigations related to the January 6^th Capitol attack, as well as probationary employees. This action undermines the foundational principle that law enforcement decisions must be guided by facts and the rule of law, not political considerations.”

The members highlighted the effect that political decisions can have on the FBI and national security: “Such actions not only erode public trust but also jeopardize the FBI’s capacity to address pressing priorities, including counterterrorism, cybercrime, and violent extremism, which require experienced personnel operating free from partisan interference. The president of the FBI Agents Association, Natalie Bara, has noted that the agents flagged for dismissal are “actively investigating crimes in every state and globally…losing these agents and employees would weaken national security now and into the future.””

The lawmakers requested the following information:

1. The number of FBI personnel terminated or reassigned since January 20, 2025, along with the rationale for each action. 
2. Documentation of the criteria used to evaluate these personnel decisions, including any role played by political appointees,
3. Steps being taken to safeguard the nonpartisan integrity of ongoing investigations, particularly those related to:
4. An assessment of how recent personnel changes have impacted the pace and scope of ongoing investigations.

• Espionage and influence operations from Russia – particularly those that implicate national security, election security, and the fidelity of U.S. Government officials;
• The January 6^th Capitol attack; and
• Public corruption.

The lawmakers concluded, “The American people deserve a justice system dedicated to the law and the Constitution – not a particular politician or political party. We strongly urge you to take immediate steps to address these concerns and reaffirm the FBI’s commitment to impartial law enforcement.”

Full text of the letter is available here.